Sampling from a growing plant

can I clip a branch or two earlier than the rest? Is there a certain area to cut it from? (Side branch, bottom, top). Is it risky to do this?

go for it, be sure not to cut the main colas, the ones on top.
sometimes I crack a stem during chores or they break over night,
if its big I might tape it up, if its small I chuck it, if its a couple weeks to finish
I put it in the dry room.

Awesome. Thank you.